1. SDSS Research: ‘SDS User Experience Survey’

2. SDSS Research: ‘SDS User Experience Survey’
• A scientific pilot about
A sample of users’ experience of accessing self directed support
Whether a more extensive survey across
Scotland would be useful to assess SDS
implementation
• Response-rates in surveyed areas
28% in Aberdeenshire
18% in East Dunbartonshire
12% in Edinburgh
Spread of user characteristics in with social care user population (2015 social care statistics). In Edinburgh slight over representation of Options 1 and 4.

3. Respondents: Age and gender
Most people were aged over 85
There were more women than men
This reflects the Scottish Government’s Social Care Users Survey (2015)

4. SDSS Research: ‘SDS User Experience Survey’
83% of respondents said they were satisfied with their support arrangements
Choice and control in relation to actual care/support
89% agreed that the person who assessed them took notice of the things that mattered to them
78% agreed that they had a say in how their help, care or support was arranged and 75% that they could choose what support they receive
63% agreed that they have control over who provides their support
88% were satisfied with the arrangement they have in place

5. SDSS Research: ‘SDS User Experience Survey’
87% of respondents said that their support is tailored to suit their needs.
Several Option 1 users however highlighted that assessments are often restricted to meeting critical needs using conventional methods and fail to encompass more creative potential ways of meeting users’ defined outcomes
A focus on reducing PAs’ hours to a minimum was prioritised over other options that would improve users’ health or quality of life.
Responses made it clear that availability of care provision is varied and depends on where the user lives as well as their personal needs and networks.
Option 2 was only available to a very few users in the survey and data was insufficient to identify how it is being implemented.

6. SDSS Research: ‘SDS User Experience Survey’
Users were sometimes unclear about the purpose of the assessment visit and unaware that an assessment if being carried out
‘The person came to review the Guardianship and didn’t say they were reviewing support
package too ‘ (user with physical and learning difficulties who uses Option 1)
Whether the social worker adopted an approach in which they were ‘on the side’ of the user was emphasised at least as of at least as much importance as whether all 4 options were discussed with the user
The relevance of variation in available support in local areas was highlighted as impacting on which Option was most appropriate, or was feasible in individual situations e.g.
- Option 3 in rural area become the best option
- Option 1 is the only option in absence of adequate council ran services or any other appropriate service
• Recognition that although Option 1 provides much flexibility it comes with challenges
• Lack of information provided by the council was highlighted by some users as preventing them from considering taking option 1

7. SDSS Research: ‘SDS User Experience Survey’
Provided information about SDS options
44% of users said that they had heard that there was a new way to arrange support called Self Directed Support (56% hadn’t)
33% said that the person who they met to discuss their support needs had not discussed all four of the SDS options with them (67% had)
42% of users said that they had not been informed of their indicative budget (58% had)
34% said they did not feel they understood the options well enough to decide which one they wanted (56% did)
49% of users who responded said they received help and advice from someone apart from the person who they met to discuss their support needs (51% didn’t)

8. SDSS Research: ‘SDS User Experience Survey’
Independent information and support play a key role
Nearly half of respondents had received help or information by someone other that the person who assessed them. This included information from independent advice and support agencies as well as from social services departments and the NHS. Independent agencies were rated particularly highly for the advice and help they offered
- Cornerstone in Aberdeenshire
- Take Control in East Dunbartonshire
- LCiL in Edinburgh
- Alzheimer’s Scotland
• Most Option 1 users were positive about their experience and particularly about the support they received from Independent agencies

9. SDSS Research: ‘SDS User Experience Survey’
‘I have found both the social worker and the OT excellent and very helpful. They respond very promptly to any queries I have about support’ (Male user, 65-84, long term physical illness, on Option 4 (Options 1 and 3 combined), Edinburgh)
‘My mother is my father's main carer. I am their daughter and I am a carer for both. I deal with all the support arrangements, meetings, paperwork etc. They would not manage to do this without me and would have ended up with council support for ease as opposed to this being a conscious decision. It was made clear that if I chose this option I would have to do it all’ (Respondent whose father has dementia and is over 85, Edinburgh).
‘After a very protracted wait for a support package (still waiting) to care for my mother I had to give up working and the only option to give me respite was to take direct payments and employ an independent agency for part of her daily care needs. We have been waiting (9-10 months) for her case to be service matched’ (Daughter of user with dementia, over 85, Edinburgh)

10. SDSS Research: ‘SDS User Experience Survey’
Recommendations
Increase user understanding of the SDS options
Reduce delays with assessments
Extra support for users without family or natural networks made vulnerable by living alone
Develop easier ways to access respite care
Increase the flexibility over use of Option 1 budgets and a more outcome focused approach
More support for Option 1 users in managing their support
Ensure equality of access to support across Options and with care providers – in particular Option 1 users
Develop Option 2
Maintaining option 3
Undertake Further Research

11. SDSS ‘User Experience Research’
To see the full report please go to
Self Directed Support Scotland
Norton Park
57, Albion Road
Edinburgh
EH7 5QY
Website: